Planting – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
2003-01-16
2004-03-09
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Planting
Miscellaneous
C111S900000, C701S050000, C172S004000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06701857
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a planting implement, such as a corn planter or the like, having a seed channel opener connected to a depth control wheel and having a depth control device which electronically controls and automatically adjusts the down pressure load to ensure that a seed channel is cut to a proper depth. More particularly, the depth control device of the present invention provides electronic control means in the form of an instrumented arm for measuring the load on the depth control wheel of a planting implement and automatically adjusting the down pressure to ensure that the seed channel opener is at the proper cutting depth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices and techniques to improve farming conditions are nearly as old as farming itself. One condition with which farmers must contend is soil variances in the field to be planted, particularly variances in soil wetness. Before no-till planting came into fashion, a farmer typically would till the whole field. The tilling operation would result in “uniform” field conditions (other than specific wet areas). By “uniform” field conditions, it is meant that the required down pressure produced by a planting implement to open or cut a furrow and accurately place the seed remained constant or “uniform”. More recently, no-till farming was introduced to improve soil moisture management and conservation measures. No-till planting involves planting the seeds into untilled ground. Because the ground is untilled, the field has greater variances in soil conditions. In other words, the untilled field has non-uniform field conditions.
Conventional planting implements currently used in no-till farming, commonly referred to as “planters” utilize a seed channel opener, typically in the form of a disc, that creates a channel or furrow in the soil for seed placement. These conventional planters do not provide adequate means for automatic adjustment to account for variances in soil conditions. Rather, such equipment requires the farmer to make manual adjustment as changes in soil conditions, such as wetness and firmness, are observed during the planting process. This adjustment usually is made by manually changing the down pressure hydraulic controls to multiple planter units, which in turn adjusts the down pressure exerted on the seed channel opener. Because the soil conditions can change often, manual adjustment tends to be an ineffective process, as the farmer may not adjust the down pressure sufficiently or frequently enough.
The consequences of ineffective manual adjustment can be categorized into four types of negative results. First, under moist soil conditions, the seed bed can become compacted by excessive down pressure. Second, under hard, dry and/or compacted soil conditions, insufficient down pressure can result in a seed channel of inadequate depth or a seed channel simply not formed, resulting in seed placement on the soil surface. Third, in soft soil conditions, the seed channel can be cut too deeply by excessive down pressure, resulting in seed placement which is too deep. And four, the constant manual adjustment causes unnecessary equipment wear.
In order to better understand how these negative consequences result from ineffective manual adjustment, consider the farmer who initially sets the down pressure of the planting implement to accommodate the average soil conditions in his field. When hard soil conditions are encountered, the down pressure exerted on the seed opener is not sufficient to create the seed channel. Thus, the seed is placed on top of the ground, thereby lowering crop yields. When wet or soft soil conditions are encountered, the down pressure exerted on the seed opener is excessive. In wetter soil, this excessive pressure will cause compacting on either side of the seed channel and can cause accumulation and pushing of mud. In softer soil, this excessive pressure can cause the seed channel to be cut too deep. These conditions also lower the crop yields. Finally, the excessive down pressure in both wet soil and soft soil conditions is an unnecessary burden to both the tractor pulling the planter and the depth control wheel bearing of the planter.
Attempts have been made in the prior art to improve planting equipment particularly used in no-till farming. U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,721 to Poggemiller et al., issued Dec. 4, 1979, discloses a depth control device which is attached to an agricultural implement to control, within pre-determined limits, the depth of penetration of the ground working implement (GWI). The depth control device includes two separate sensing means, a first ground engaging sensing member and second, a sensor connected to the GWI. Both sensors are mechanically connected to switches which operate to raise and lower the mechanism for the ground working implements. The depth control device operates between a preset distance between the GWI and the frame and a preset depth such that when variance in the ground is encountered, the ground working implement itself is raised or lowered relative to the planter frame. In addition to the use of the separate ground engaging sensing member, an inherent drawback to Poggemiller et al. is the use of preset limits, particularly the preset distance between the GWI and the frame in order to raise or lower the ground working implement.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,749,035 to Cayton et al., issued Jul. 31, 1973, a precision depth seed planter is disclosed. The planter comprises a series of ground working units mounted on a main frame with each unit having a pair of depth gauge wheels for carrying the unit and for regulating the depth of the seed channel. A ground-engaging sensing unit is mounted on the main frame and comprises two shoes, one which rides on the ground surface and the other which penetrates the surface. Based on the relative distance between the two shoes, the soil hardness is “determined” and mechanically adjusts the hydraulic pressure between the ground working units and the main frame in order to maintain a uniform planting depth. A significant disadvantage to the Cayton et al. planter is the complexity of the separate mechanical sensing arrangement. Moreover, it appears that the hydraulic pressure must be set at an initial starting point and then it is expected that a change in the hydraulic pressure based on the relative distance between the two shoes will properly adjust the ground working unit to the correct down force. However, there is no feedback from the ground working unit that it is operating in the proper position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,423 to Poggemiller et al., issued Oct. 12, 1982, provides a hydraulic reset for a planter comprising a resetting ram assembly extending between the ground working implement and the main frame. The resetting ram functions as a reset, such that if the GWI encounters an obstruction, the resetting ram enables the GWI to rotate and travel over the obstruction. The hydraulic reset utilizes two preset hydraulic pressures; the first pressure is the pressure set in the main hydraulic system to engage the GWI's with the ground and the second pressure is set in the resetting ram, this second pressure being set at a value to allow the GWI to absorb an obstruction. Although this hydraulic reset device does overcome problems associated with obstructions in the field, it does not maintain a proper seed channel under various soil conditions as neither of these two pressures is continuously adjusted to maintain down pressure or penetration by the seed channel opener.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,685 to Gremelspacher et al., issued Nov. 8, 1983, discloses a planting implement having a device which enables the monitoring and remote adjustment of the planting depths of planting units connected to the planter. The device includes an adjustment bar mounted to the main frame of the planter. The position of the adjustment bar determines the vertical position of the depth control wheels relative to the planter frame. By sensing the position of the adjustment bar, the device determines the relative position of the d
Jensen Lynn David
LeClaire James P
Nelson Chris
Bursari Peter A.
Novosad Christopher J.
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